Operator put on his best behaviour
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A LANCASHIRE operator who was recently described as having an "appalling history" by NorthWestern Traffic Commissioner Beverley Bell has won interim authority to continue operating.
In February 2008, the TC revoked the licence and refused a licence application by the limited company of Bolton-based Gary Tonge.
However, she delayed the revocation of the existing two-vehicle licence for four weeks. She refused the application for a new five-vehicle licence by Northern Aggregates & Grab Hire, of which Tonge was the sole director.
Her decision followed evidence of maintenance problems, including the operation of a prohibited vehicle, drivers' hours and tachograph problems including a failure to keep working time records, and the operation of more vehicles than were authorised (CM 28 February 2008).
Northern Aggregates & Grab Hire subsequently applied for a new restricted five-vehicle licence and sought interim authority to commence operating three vehicles, before the TC.
For the company, James Backhouse said that director Tonge and one of his drivers were due to sit the CPC examination the following day. Tonge had put a lot of work into what he had to do to satisfy the TC about the systems being put in place. He had invested a lot of time and money since the previous public inquiry. Granting interim authority for three vehicles for six months, the TC said that it was clear on the last occasion that Tonge had insufficient knowledge. She had not made an order for disqualification. so she had "left the door ajar".
Vosa would be asked to carry out a further maintenance investigation and a tachograph check on one vehicle. If that proved satisfactory. the substantive licence would be granted.
Indicating that she was putting Tonge on probation to see if he could get it right, the TC warned that if he did not she would be looking at disqualification.